Ladder-foot.



E. F. SADLBR.

LADDER FO0T..

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1914.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS a) PHOTDJJTHQ, WASHINGTON. D. (:4

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Ell/IERY F. SADLER, OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.

LADDER-FOOT.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed April 2, 1914-. Serial No. 829,052.

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that 1, Ferrari; F. SADLER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Pontiac, in the county ofOakland and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Ladder-Feet, of which the following is a specification.

lily invention. relates to improvements in an adjustable ladder foot tobe connected with the lower end of a ladder or the like, to engage withan irregular or inclined surface and retain the ladder in the propervertical position.

An important object. of the invention is to provide apparatus of theabove mentioned character, which is adaptedto be connected withanordinary ladder or the like, without materially altering theconstruction thereof and being adjustable to accommodate itself forattachment to ladders of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the abovementioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, convenient in use, and light.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my inventionshowing the same applied to a ladder and engaging a horizontal surface,Fig. 2 is a similar view with the apparatus engaging an inclinedsurface, Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view through theapparatus, and a portion of the ladder, and, Fig. a is a transversesectional view taken on line 4.& of Fig. 1. W

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a ladderas a whole, embodying standards 6 connected by rungs 7, as shown.

The numeral 8 designates my angularly adjustable ladder foot as a whole,comprising a longitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, preferablyformed of bent wood, having a strip of metal 10, inlaid upon the lowerside thereof, and secured thereto by means of screws 11 or the like, asmore clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This longitudinally curvedfoot element or saddle is arranged between pairs of arms 12 and 12, theouter ends of which are arranged upon opposite sides of the lower endsof the standards 6, and pivoted thereto to swing in a substantialvertical plane by means of bolts 13 or the like. Each of these armscomprises a portion 14, passing across the longitudinally curved footelement or saddle 9, at approximately a right angle thereto, as shown.The arms 12 in the different pairs are extended beyond the inner ends ofthe arms 12, in the form of extensions 15, provided with longitudinalslots 16 which are in registration and receive a pivot bolt 17,pivotally connecting the extensions. By this means the pairs of arms 12and 12 are capable of being moved longitudinally with relation to eachother, whereby the same may be connected with ladders of differentsizes.

In moving the pairs of arms 12 and 12, to operate the apparatus, as willbe hereinafter described, the operator places his foot upon theextensions 15 of the arms 12', to depress the same, or the same resultmay be accomplished by swinging an upstanding lever 18 inwardly, suchlever being rigidly connected with one arm :12, by any suitable means,adjacent the pivot 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. .The arms 12 and 12in each pair are provided with elongated slots 19, receiving transverseclamping bolts 20, carrying thereon spacing sleeves or bushings 21.Thesesspacing sleeves or bushings have their opposite ends engagingcorrugated portions 22 upon the inner face of the arms 12 and 12, asmore clearly shown in Fig. 3. The sleeves or bushings 21 and the bolts20 carrying them, are spaced, and by proper manipulation of the bolts20, may be moved toward or away from each other, and locked inadjustment at desired positions to the arms 12 and 12'. .Thelongitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9 passes between the bolts20 and sleeves or bushings 21 carried thereby, as clearly shown in Fig.3. Connected with the arms 12, preferably by means of the clamping bolts20, are eye-bolts 23, to the upper'ends of which are secured suitablystiff retractile coil springs 24:, connected with the" standards 6 bymeans of staples 25' or the like.

In the operation of the apparatus. the springs 24 swing their arms 12and 12 upwardly, turning the same upon their pivots 13, whereby thesearms are securely locked or clampedto the longitudinally curved footelement or saddle 9, such looking or clamping action being increased byweight upon the ladder. When it is desired to shift or move thelongitudinally curved foot element or saddle 9, so that the same mayassume a position shown in Fig. 2, or other more or less similarpositions, the pairs of arms 12 and 12 are swung downwardly, which maybe accomplished by depressing the extensions 15 by the foot or byswinging the lever 18 inwardly. The foot element or saddle 9 engagingthe ground re-v mains relatively stationary, whereby the portions 14 ofthe arms 12 and 12 will approach a position at right angles to the same,so that the clamping action between the sleeves 20 and this foot-elementwill be relieved. The ladder may now be readily swung laterally withrespect to the relatively stationary foot element or saddle 9, and againclamped thereto upon the release 01 the pairs of arms 12 and 12, by thesprings 24.

While I have shown and described my improved apparatus as used inconnection with the ordinary ladder, with which it is particularly welladapted to cooperate, yet I do not wish to solely restrict the inventionto such use. I have found that the same may be advantageously employedin connection with step ladders, articles of furniture, and the like.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention, I claim 1. Swinging arms pivotallyconnected with the lower portion of a ladder and extending inwardly withtheir inner, ends connected, a curved foot-element arranged adjacent theswinging arms, and clamping means carried by the swinging arms and receiving the foot-element therein to clamp the foot element againstmovement upon the upward movement of the swinging arms.

2. Swinging arms pivotally connected with the lower portion of a ladderand extending inwardly with their inner ends connected to move togetherwhen being swung up or down, a foot-element arranged adjacent theswinging arms, clamping means carried by the swinging arms and receivingthe foot-element therein to clamp the same against movement upon theupward movement of the swinging arms and to release the same upon thedownward movement of the swinging arms, and a spring to automaticallymove the swinging arms upwardly.

3. Swinging arms provided with clamping means and connected with thelower portion of the ladder and extending in wardly with their innerends connected to move together, a curved foot-element arranged withinthe clamping means, retractile coil springs connected with the ladderand with the arms to swing the same upwardly, and an upwardly extendinglever connected with one arm to swing the same downwardly.

4. Swinging arms provided with clamping means and pivotally connectedwith the lower portion of the ladder and extending inwardly withrelation thereto with the inner end of one arm provided with anelongated slot, a pivot element connected with the inner end of theother arm and extending into the elongated slot, a curved foot-elementarranged within the clamping means, and spring means to swing the armsupwardly.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

V EMERY F. SADLER.

\Vitnesses CHARLES P. l VEBs'rER, CLARANOE A. BAI EY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C.

